Monsieur Le Sauvage finds some nice surprises lurking at the shallow end

The mid range wines showed as well as ever (Vigne Grande, Bacchus, Di Majo Sang, Rodano etc)
But the real surprise was at the low end

Chianti PFR 2008 under its new packaging, with the words “CHIANTI” about as large could be legally allowed, is a massive improvement on the old packaging
The wine was showing very well, a fresh, sappy, honest expression of Sangiovese with bright red fruit and well handled, fine tannins

The Casa Azul Merlot 2008 was also under a new - and very smart - label
In fact, as I pulled it out of the box, the customer said, “Oh, that looks nice”
If you haven’t seen the new packaging I urge you to check it out
The wine really delivered for the money, albeit in a commercial style, very forward, plummy, with a touch of that Chilean “mint”

But the real surprise was Copeland Shiraz Cabernet 2009
(yes, 2009!)
The label has been polished up a bit, same design but better quality paper and finish
The wine was a revelation - at this price point
Brimming with cassis and blackberries, ripe, juicy, not overly heavy, and none of that horrible sweetness that most Aussie reds at this price point have